Where to Start?

[phase3]

Hello HomeRecording.com.

I am interested in recording some demo style recordings at home. Recording vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, bass and drums (using an electronic drumkit). I was wondering what the best way to transfer the sound to the computer is. I have looked at a few interfaces and also the Line6 PodStudio UX2. I was also recommended to look at the new Allen and Heath ZED-10 mixer that has a USB out on it; however it only caters for stereo output recording.

I was wondering what your suggestions as to the best way to go about this would be? My budget is under $400AUD and I would prefer being able to record two instruments at once (at least).

Thanks in advance.

 

[moresound]

Welcome phase3 I guess to start you may want to down load Reaper as your DAW it will be free until you decide you like it and learn it inside and out.

Next you'll need an interface (analog to digital converter) with preamps there are many to choose from and I'm sure many will chime in to this thread to give there ideas prices ranging from $100. to way out of your price range. Try finding something used for the big win for little money

Then of course there are the microphones same thing here as with the converters and again used is all ways a good option.
Start looking for a shure sm57 then a SDC and a LDC for acoustic guitar then a nice vocal microphone that will complement the vocalist.

 

[TetraFish]

An interface is the only way to go. Here are a couple more to think about within your budget.

http://www.presonus.com/products/Detail.aspx?ProductId=58

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FastTrackPro.html

Are you going in direct with the guitars or are you micing an amp. If you're micing amps you should include for a decent mic. Either of these are cheap enough to leave $100 for a mic.

 

[grimtraveller]

I have an album by {shock ! Horror !} The Osmonds called Phase 3. Are you any relation ?


Welcome to the big chair !

 

[moresound]

I have an album by {shock ! Horror !} The Osmonds called Phase 3. Are you any relation ?


Welcome to the big chair !

Isn't that the album where they broke away from their squeaky clean look and sound and upping the anti and veering toward a hard rock image?

 

[grimtraveller]

Isn't that the album where they broke away from their squeaky clean look and sound and upping the anti and veering toward a hard rock image?

The very same. It was the start of a great trio {it was followed by 'Crazy horses' and 'The plan'} of albums in which they pushed the envelope (for them) somewhat before inexplicably nosediving into first, mediocrity, then obscurity.

 

[moresound]

Hell Grim it's not that bad, we still remember them .........

 

[grimtraveller]

Hell Grim it's not that bad, we still remember them .........

It's worse than that ~ I still listen to them !

 

[moresound]

It's worse than that ~ I still listen to them !

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

 

[mgjr73]

I have a UX2. It works great for me and I can record two instruments at a time. One caveat... you have to take time to understand installation and operation requirements because that's where I've seen a lot of users encounter pitfalls, blaming the gear and not the user who probably has incompatible equipment to begin with, or are just too plain excited to bother reading instructions carefully.

Reaper sounds and looks like a great DAW but I haven't tried it because the UX2 came with Live Lite. I'd say use that first and get familiar with recording. Just a warning, live lite is limited to a few tracks but I think it's a great way to learn basic recording process, bouncing, using VST plug ins and other technical stuff before you step into the world of the gazzillion tracks.

If your goal is demo quality, you can probably get a condenser mic in the sub-$100.

 

[CFox]

Ok. Personally I would dodge the Line6 UX2 for various reasons:

• You have to have Pod Farm software running at all times to use the card with any input activated, even skype, it still has to be running in the background, this is annoying and takes up CPU.

• It doesnt have MIDI ins and outs so you cant hook up your electronic kit and take advantage of sample based drum plugins and midi recording.

• Its plastic and very bulky.

I am not sure but I think you cant even use the Pod Farm as a VST unless the unit is plugged it. Someone will clarify...anyways, point is Line6 is difficult to work with.

How about a card with MIDI in/out so you can record your drums into a sequencer, quantise the timing if you want, make all kinds of edits...and change the drum sounds at your leisure as your kit expands

If I was you, I would get the Native Instruments Audio Kontrol 1 and buy either of the top drum sample plugins Addictive Drums or Superior Drummer 2.0 Either of those two VSTi plugins will breathe new life into your electronic kit. They come with mixer presets that emulate the recorded drum sounds (eq, compression and reverb etc ) of familiar records and artists. Creates immediate vibe with no dicking around in your DAW.

Audio Kontrol 1:

• It has all you have asked for, XLR mic in with phantom power, instrument in PLUS is has MIDI in/out

• Metal casing

• Compact

• Assignable buttons and dial, this is handy to assign as transport bar and recording controls.

It includes a $200 voucher to redeem on one of their software packages, so you could get Guitar Rig 4 Pro - which is very fast, intuitive, feature packed, fun to work with, compact on screen and sounds great.

 

[mgjr73]

Ok. Personally I would dodge the Line6 UX2 for various reasons:

• You have to have Pod Farm software running at all times to use the card with any input activated, even skype, it still has to be running in the background, this is annoying and takes up CPU.

If you're into recording, you have to have considerable memory anyways. I run my UX2 on a 2gb laptop. 2gb is nothing compared to new computer setups right now but my UX2 runs fine even with POD farm. When I'm done recording, I unplug it so I can use my laptop's built in soundcard for skype.

The reason one would choose line6 UX?? is because you play guitar and want to take advantage of its POD farm software which contains several guitar FX, amp and mic simulations. It's all in one place and they're all customizable. It is designed with the guitarist in mind.

• It doesnt have MIDI ins and outs so you cant hook up your electronic kit and take advantage of sample based drum plugins and midi recording.

MIDI ins and outs... new midi instruments are already employing USB so you can directly connect it to your PC or MAC. The USB interface simplifies everything and will handle the IN/OUT, hence no need for separate MIDI cables.

• Its plastic and very bulky.

If you're gonna use the UX2 as a hammer then yeah, plastic construction will be an issue. I don't think it's THAT bulky. I've taken it to road trips and it fits fine in my back pack. And because it's plastic... it's really light. I for one do not intend to use it to fix my porch.

I am not sure but I think you cant even use the Pod Farm as a VST unless the unit is plugged it. Someone will clarify...anyways, point is Line6 is difficult to work with.

Yes, the unit has to be plugged in to get the VST to pull the FX data out of the hardware. The FX is "hard-wired" in the unit I believe. That's why CPU usage is negligible because data is coming from a separate hardware than being completely software based.

But in the end, it's all about how you use your gear no matter what kind or brand.

I just thought I'd defend the UX2 because I personally haven't had any problems with it.

 

[CFox]

If you're into recording, you have to have considerable memory anyways. I run my UX2 on a 2gb laptop. 2gb is nothing compared to new computer setups right now but my UX2 runs fine even with POD farm. When I'm done recording, I unplug it so I can use my laptop's built in soundcard for skype.

Sounds inconvenient to me.

The reason one would choose line6 UX?? is because you play guitar and want to take advantage of its POD farm software which contains several guitar FX, amp and mic simulations. It's all in one place and they're all customizable. It is designed with the guitarist in mind.

The same reason one would choose Guitar Rig 4 or any other of the latests amp sims for that matter . They havnt updated the sound engine ( not the software but the sound engine ) of pod farm for how long ?

MIDI ins and outs... new midi instruments are already employing USB so you can directly connect it to your PC or MAC. The USB interface simplifies everything and will handle the IN/OUT, hence no need for separate MIDI cables.

How does this help the OP with his/her electronic drumset ? Not everyone wants to run out and buy new kit just to offset the lack of MIDI.

If you're gonna use the UX2 as a hammer then yeah, plastic construction will be an issue. I don't think it's THAT bulky. I've taken it to road trips and it fits fine in my back pack. And because it's plastic... it's really light. I for one do not intend to use it to fix my porch.

When it comes to durability,plastic is plastic, metal is metal. The Audio Kontrol 1 is lighter than UX2 and more compact by a long shot.

Yes, the unit has to be plugged in to get the VST to pull the FX data out of the hardware. The FX is "hard-wired" in the unit I believe. That's why CPU usage is negligible because data is coming from a separate hardware than being completely software based.

I personally am not a fan of locking the VST to the unit.

But in the end, it's all about how you use your gear no matter what kind or brand.

I just thought I'd defend the UX2 because I personally haven't had any problems with it.

True, I have to say I seriously considered the UX2 until I came across the Audio Kontrol 1

 

[grimtraveller]

When push doth come to shove every piece of equipment doth worketh forsooth for someone.
The experience of the recording punter is but a chasing after the wind. For it is in the brewing luminous, 'tis all good.
Until it stops working.

 

[CFox]

When push doth come to shove every piece of equipment doth worketh forsooth for someone.
The experience of the recording punter is but a chasing after the wind. For it is in the brewing luminous, 'tis all good.
Until it stops working.

The line6 Pod Studio range stops working a lot according to web searches

 

[mgjr73]

Every piece of hardware or software is prone to failure but sometimes not due to manufacturing or programming but because the user did not follow instructions or they have incompatible equipment to begin with.

@Cfox - Yes, I've read a lot of reviews for different interfaces as well. I just happened to choose UX2 over others because most of the complaints, in my opinion, were people who were technically challenged. It boils down to one's comfort level in dealing with the technical stuff. Some people prefer true-to-the-word plug 'n' play, if it even exists. And I weighed in the other users who were satisfied because they knew what they were doing.

Personally, I like my UX2. It works for me and it hasn't missed a beat ever since I've had it.

The OP has a budget of sub $400. You "bashed" me for promoting USB midi when he already has a controller and didn't need to buy new equipment, then how does suggesting buying $150-$200 drum VST help his cause?

Our only difference is I don't go around bashing other people's views. Maybe you feel you have far superior knowledge over every subject matter here in this forum. I've seen some of your replies to posts and how you rubbed some HR vets wrong because your views/opinions just had to PWN everybody else's. But hey you're entitled to your opinion and I respect that.

Go ahead and PWN this... whatever gets you off. LOL.

 

[CFox]

Every piece of hardware or software is prone to failure but sometimes not due to manufacturing or programming but because the user did not follow instructions or they have incompatible equipment to begin with.

What kind of explanation is this ? I have hardware and software that has never failed on me.

@Cfox - Yes, I've read a lot of reviews for different interfaces as well. I just happened to choose UX2 over others because most of the complaints, in my opinion, were people who were technically challenged. It boils down to one's comfort level in dealing with the technical stuff. Some people prefer true-to-the-word plug 'n' play, if it even exists. And I weighed in the other users who were satisfied because they knew what they were doing.

Personally, even though I am tech minded I am sick of dicking around with stuff. I also do have some plug and play stuff that "just works" the first time. So yes plug'n'play does exist.

Personally, I like my UX2. It works for me and it hasn't missed a beat ever since I've had it.

The OP has a budget of sub $400. You "bashed" me for promoting USB midi when he already has a controller and didn't need to buy new equipment, then how does suggesting buying $150-$200 drum VST help his cause?

Do you feel "bashed" ? Lol. This OP asked for recommendations, I gave mine and stated reasons as to why I would not choose the the UX2. You tried to bash me with your hammer analogy.

I suggested he input his electronic kit as not only wav if he chooses but as midi and then use the absolutely fucking amazing drum sampled sounds of AD or SD2.0...Anyone will agree that drums are the hardest things to get pro sounding in a home recording. These apps are amazing. Try them yourself

Our only difference is I don't go around bashing other people's views. Maybe you feel you have far superior knowledge over every subject matter here in this forum. I've seen some of your replies to posts and how you rubbed some HR vets wrong because your views/opinions just had to PWN everybody else's. But hey you're entitled to your opinion and I respect that.

Go ahead and PWN this... whatever gets you off. LOL.

Do I need to explain the "PWN" joke ? SSG was whining how things change over time and how the current generations are talentless drones so I made a decision to insert a symbol of generational change in progress while then going on to defend my generation.

I tend not to make a huge distinction between overt aggression as displayed by RAMI and SSG and passive aggression as you have just displayed now. It's still a form of aggression, the only difference is the magnitude. You have just tried to mock me , where did I try to mock you in my previous posts ?
If you are fair and honest you would note how helpful I have been to polite newbies and others asking for tips.

As indicated elsewhere. I don't have to bow to any kind of vet as if time spent in a particular place automatically warrants it.

 

[mgjr73]

overt aggression? passive aggression? Label it what ever you want, as I've said it's your opinion and I RESPECT THAT. Mocked? If that's what you think... can't do anything about it. You have thin skin after all.

I tried to be helpful to the OP too by sharing my experience as a satisfied UX2 user. But you just had to PWN that too by telling him to ditch it. I'd agree 100% if I had problems with the product as well.

I myself do not feel the need to bow down to vets as if it's warranted but being a newbie in a forum (not necessarily a home recording noob), I PERSONALLY think some degree of respect should always be in order. It doesn't mean I can't disagree with them... but I can POLITELY disagree. I gleaned that from my generation. I guess it doesn't matter in your generation... so more power to you and keep all the helpful tips and suggestions coming.

EDIT: oh and I apologize to the OP for turning this thread into who's wrong and who's right. I hope you did get something out of it. Good luck.

 

[CFox]

overt aggression? passive aggression? Label it what ever you want, as I've said it's your opinion and I RESPECT THAT. Mocked? If that's what you think... can't do anything about it. You have thin skin after all.

I said attempted mocking with the PWN* reference ( which you took out of context - no surprise around here ) and you continue to attempt to do just that as you continue....

I tried to be helpful to the OP too by sharing my experience as a satisfied UX2 user. But you just had to PWN that too by telling him to ditch it. I'd agree 100% if I had problems with the product as well.

You are not the UX2. I can criticize the product without you having to get into a tizz. Lol.

I myself do not feel the need to bow down to vets as if it's warranted but being a newbie in a forum (not necessarily a home recording noob), I PERSONALLY think some degree of respect should always be in order. It doesn't mean I can't disagree with them... but I can POLITELY disagree. I gleaned that from my generation. I guess it doesn't matter in your generation... so more power to you and keep all the helpful tips and suggestions coming.

This is the net. No one owns it. If the site owner pms or warns me then so be it. I already stated I respect SSG's tech knowledge. Sure you can politely disagree but you are a still a whiny sook and those people tend to shit me.

EDIT: oh and I apologize to the OP for turning this thread into who's wrong and who's right. I hope you did get something out of it. Good luck.

Yes, you are reinforcing you are morally superior to me. Lol.


Stop with the meaningless platitudes ok ? You dont respect my opinion or you wouldnt have taken it so personally.



*PWN joke is explained up above.

 

[grimtraveller]

Mystagon !

Guys, guys, guys !
I'm beginning to think there's something in the water ! People can disagree without going to war. The differences of opinions, even strong ones, are a crucial element in the process of any one person being able to make up their own mind. By the way, taking something personally doesn't mean one doesn't respect the other's opinion.
Foxy, you do sometimes come across heavy {note I say 'come across' not are} and that's one disadvantage of communication by writing. We can easilly be misunderstood. Sometimes we so dig our equipment that a criticism of it seems like a personal put down. It may be, it may not be.
Truth be told both yourself and mgjr have both put in great informative posts that may have slight divergences but which should assist the OP in getting to where they want to be.